The application is that I applied on May 8th, 1996, exercise question is the unsettled patented claim No. of " the two beckets that compress installation that are used for optical fiber connector "---the part continuation application, above-mentioned patented claim is again the continuity of patented claim 08/289,945 application, that abandoned on August 12nd, 94.
Detailed description of preferred embodiment
Optical fiber connector of the present invention or line end be at Fig. 1, is described in 2 and 3, and wherein Fig. 1 is a stereographic map, and Fig. 2 is the cut-open view of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is the enlarged drawing at the connector tip shown in Fig. 2.As Fig. 1, shown in 2 and 3, the end of connector 10 about bundle cables 12.Optical cable 12 comprises fiber sheath 14, and it is around cushion pad 16, and cushion pad is around light transmitting fiber 18, so that the tip 20 of light transmitting fiber 18 is projected on the tip of connector 10.
Connector 10 comprises the inner wire end member spare 24 of a general cylindrical and the outer lines end member spare 28 of a general cylindrical.Inner wire end member spare 24 comprises the hole 30 that first axially is provided with, and its diameter is enough to make fiber sheath 14 to be slidingly matched.The length in hole 30 is enough to allow the ripple 32 of inner line end 24 to arrive fiber sheath 14 usually.Axially the diameter of the endoporus 36 that is provided with can make cushion pad 16 be slidingly matched at this, and hole 36 is arranged on the internal end surface 40 in hole 30.Shoulder 44 is arranged on the outside surface of cylindrical interior line end 24, has formed the nose part 48 of inner line end 24 like this.Nose part 48 comprises a taper convergence portion 52, and this part ends at outstanding forward compressing and installs most advanced and sophisticated 56.Compress and install most advanced and sophisticated 56 and comprise that a light transmitting fiber hole that axially is provided with 60 passes through at this, so that light transmitting fiber 18 passes light transmitting fiber hole 60.
Outer lines end member spare 28 comprises the body 68 of a general cylindrical, it comprises the intilted conical portion 72 that an integral body is provided with, this part ends at one and compresses the most advanced and sophisticated branch 76 of installation, is compressing the connector matching surface 80 that the front portion that the tip is installed is provided with a polishing.Inner line end jack 84 is axially disposed within the outer lines end member spare 28, so that the nose part 48 of inner wire end member spare 24 reaches the inside.Hole 84 ends at an inwardly outstanding conical pressing surface 88, and surface 88 ends at another internal holes 92.Hole 92 ends at an inside round taper hole 94, and hole 94 ends at a light transmitting fiber through hole 96 that axially is provided with, and is projected into its tip 20 by through hole 96 light transmitting fibers 18.
As what can be clear that in Fig. 3, the outer rib part at outside line end tip 76 produces variant part 100 by mechanical means, causes exterior section 102 mechanically deforms in light transmitting fiber hole 96 like this.Crushed element 102 is used for light transmitting fiber 18 machineries, frictionally constraining in the tip 76 of outer lines end member spare 28.By same method, the outer rib part at inner line end tip 56 produces variant part 106 by mechanical means, causes the exterior section in light transmitting fiber hole 60 to produce mechanically deform part 108 like this.Mechanically deform part 108 is with light transmitting fiber 18 machineries, frictionally constrain in inner wire end member spare 56.
Therefore, can know, two line end optical fiber connectors 10 comprise machinery, the frictional constraint point of two different light transmitting fibers 18 that separate in connector 10, these points are respectively outside and the tip 76 of inner wire end member spare 28 and 24 and the mechanically deform part 102 and 108 at 56 places.
Fig. 4,5 and 6 show the step of the method for optimizing that is used for two line-end connectors shown in the manuscript 1-3 and above-described.As shown in Figure 4, inner line end 24 is placed on the optical cable 12, so that fiber sheath 14 is stayed in the hole 30.Line end 24 is crushed on light transmitting fiber 12 subsequently.Outside subsequently line end 28 is placed on the outstanding light transmitting fiber 18 and is moved down into inner line end 24, and 88 contact with the tip 56 of inner line end 24 up to the interior conical of outside line end 28 surface, as shown in Figure 5, are further discussed below.
As shown in Figure 5, outside line end 28 is placed on the inner line end 24, so that inner inclination face 88 contacts with the outer rib at the tip 56 of inner line end 24.This electrical connector is placed into and compresses in the erecting device subsequently, and as described in my U.S. Patent application 08------number of 8,96 on Mays applications, the content of its disclosure all is incorporated into this.Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the nose part 76 of outside line end 28 is held in place in the round taper hole in the nose part 118 that compresses drive unit 120.The jag of light transmitting fiber 18 is positioned to be arranged on and compresses the center pit 122 that drives nose part 118.Can notice, most advanced and sophisticated 76 outer rib part 126 contacts with the surface of round taper hole 114, and simultaneously, the outer rib 110 at the tip 56 of inner line end contacts with the surface of round taper hole 88, between the afterbody part 132 of the body 68 of the shoulder 44 of inner line end 24 and outside line end 28 gap 130 is arranged.The afterbody part 136 of inner line end 24 leans against on a static block or the anvil 140, and block 140 comprises a passage that runs through 144, is used to make optical cable 12 to pass through from here.The effect that compresses driver 120 is described below by means of Fig. 6.
Fig. 6 shows with compressing driver 120 connector 10 that compresses is installed.As shown in the figure, the effect that compresses driver 120 is that outside line end 28 is pressed onto on the inner line end 24, simultaneously, makes the most advanced and sophisticated rib 110 of most advanced and sophisticated rib 126 of outside line end and inner line end produce mechanically deform.Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, the most advanced and sophisticated rib of outside line end produces mechanically deform 100, and most advanced and sophisticated 76 interior light transmitting fiber holes 96 generation machineries subside 102 thus, will be by light transmitting fiber 18 frictional constraints herein.By same method, the outer rib 110 of inner line end nose 56 produces mechanically deform 106, and thus, most advanced and sophisticated 56 interior light transmitting fiber holes 60 produce machineries and subside 108, will be by light transmitting fiber 18 frictional constraints herein.Can also see, because the compressional movement of outside line end 28 on inner line end 24 reduces gap 130.
Therefore, can know, the method for optimizing of processing connector 10 is to use single compaction step, light transmitting fiber 18 produces two machineries, frictional constraint in connector 10 like this, internal constraint 108 and second externally frictional constraint 102 at most advanced and sophisticated 76 places of line end at most advanced and sophisticated 56 places of inner line end.
First preferred embodiment of optical fiber connector joint 200 of the present invention is shown in Fig. 7 and 8, and wherein Fig. 7 is the cut-open view of general cylindrical joint 200, and Fig. 8 is the stereographic map of inner sleeve element.As shown in Figure 7, joint 200 is connected the light transmitting fiber 202 that first has general cylindrical optical fiber connector 206 with second optical cable 210 with general cylindrical optical fiber connector 214.Optical fiber connector 206 and 214 comprises the body part 215 and 216 of general cylindrical respectively, and comprises the nose part 218 and 220 of outstanding forward general cylindrical respectively, and nose partly has the tip, and light transmitting fiber is positioned at its center.In a preferred embodiment, light transmitting fiber respectively by machinery, frictionally constrain in the tip 218 and 220 of connector, yet, for the function of joint 200, do not need fibre-optic this constraint, but adopted other method that light transmitting fiber is constrained in optical fiber connector 206 and 214.
Joint 200 comprises a cylindrical interior alignment sleeve 224, and a cylindrical outer alignment sleeve 228.Cylindrical interior sleeve pipe 224 is shown in Fig. 8.The key character of inner sleeve 224 is that it has the cylindrical hole 232 of the diameter basically identical of a diameter and cylinder shape connector most advanced and sophisticated 218 and 220, and connector most advanced and sophisticated 218 and 220 inserts into the inner, as shown in Figure 7.Therefore, inner sleeve 224 is used for the tip 218 and 220 of alignment optical guides fiber connector 206 and 214, can finish so that lay respectively at two light conduction between the light transmitting fiber in the tip.The length L of sleeve pipe 224, short slightly in conjunction with length than two tips 218 that are positioned at hole 232 and 220 can contact with sleeve pipe 224 with 220 light transmitting fiber fully so that be positioned at most advanced and sophisticated 218.External alignment sleeve pipe 228 is cylindrical elements, and it has the connector patchhole 240 that runs through.The diameter in hole 240 respectively with the body part 215 of connector 206 and 214 and 216 diameter basically identical so that connector 206 and 214 can be slidingly fitted in the hole 240 of external alignment sleeve pipe 228.The external diameter of sleeve pipe 224 also with the internal diameter basically identical in hole 240 so that sleeve pipe 224 can be slidingly fitted in the hole 240.
Therefore, can know that internal alignment sleeve pipe 224 is used for respectively the tip 218 and 220 of connector 206 and 214 being aimed at, and sleeve pipe 228 is used for respectively the body part 215 and 216 of connector 206 and 214 being aimed at.Therefore, adapter connector 200 comprises two connector alignment point of separating, and they are positioned at internal alignment sleeve pipe 224 and external alignment sleeve pipe 228.In order to improve the intensity of joint, cable jacket sleeve pipe 250 and 252 is placed on respectively on optical cable 202 and 210. Sleeve pipe 250 and 252 internal diameter and diameter basically identical at this optical cable that passes through, therefore, optical cable is engaged in respectively in each cable sleeve 250 and 252 slidably. Cable sleeve 250 and 252 external diameter preferably equate substantially with the external diameter of external alignment sleeve pipe 228.External lug sleeve pipe 260 comprises alignment sleeve 224 and 228, and the inner of cable sleeve 250 and 252.Sleeve pipe 260 provides intensity and reliability for whole joint.
When erection joint 200, various sleeve pipes are crushed on the element that is placed on wherein.Therefore, external alignment sleeve pipe 228 be positioned at herein connector 206 and each ends of 214 body part 215 and 216 be respectively be crushed 266. Cable sleeve 250 and 252 pairs of optical cables 202 and 210 that are positioned at herein flatten 270 respectively.External lug sleeve pipe 260 is crushed 270 so that cable sleeve 250 and 252 is remained in this.By this method, can produce strong stable joint, it has two joints of optical fibre alignment point (in sleeve pipe 224 and 228).
Another kind of optical fiber connector 300 as shown in Figures 9 and 10, wherein, Fig. 9 is the cut-open view of whole joint 300, Figure 10 is the cut-open view that is used for the connector alignment sleeve 310 in the joint 300.At first, can notice that joint 300 comprises several elements, they be used for joint 200, above-described element is consistent.For the ease of understanding, the components identical numbering is identical.Therefore, joint 300 connects together two optical cables 202 with 210.Each optical cable 202 and 210 has an optical fiber connector 206 and 214 that retrains with the tip respectively, and connector interconnects most advanced and sophisticated 218 and 222.Ferrule 250 and 252 flattens 270 to optical cable 202 and 210 respectively, and externally on the swagelok 260, the cable sleeve 250 and 252 that is positioned at is wherein flattened 274.
Joint 300 is that with the difference of joint 200 joint 300 uses a single alignment sleeve 310 to replace two alignment sleeve 224 and 228.
Alignment sleeve 310 is elements of a general cylindrical, wherein is provided with an optical fiber connector mating holes.This mating holes comprises the first connector body mating holes 314, and its diameter equates substantially with the diameter of the connector body 215 of connector 206.Hole 314 stops with round taper hole 318, and hole 318 ends at the most advanced and sophisticated mating holes 322 of connector in connector.The diameter of the most advanced and sophisticated mating holes 322 of connector equates substantially with the external diameter at connector tip 218, so that most advanced and sophisticated 218 are matched with this slidably.By identical method, the second connector body hole 326 is arranged in the sleeve pipe 310, axially aligns with hole 314.The diameter basically identical of the body part 216 of the diameter in hole 326 and connector 214 is so that connector 214 is matched with this slidably.Hole 326 ends at round taper hole 330, and round taper hole 330 ends at connector tip hole 322.
By with reference to figure 9 and 10, can know that connector ferrule 310 can be slidingly matched with two connectors 206 and 214, therefore, two connectors have alignment portion.First alignment portion comprises the slidably mating part of two connectors most advanced and sophisticated 218 and 220 in the most advanced and sophisticated mating holes 322 of connector.Second alignment portion comprise respectively mating holes 314 and 326 in connector body 215 and 216 slidably mating part.In order to obtain suitable aligning and to contact between connector most advanced and sophisticated 218 and 220, the length S of the most advanced and sophisticated mating holes 322 of connector is very important than two connectors tips 218 and 220 in conjunction with length for a short time.In addition, round taper hole 318 and 330 surperficial gradient than the gradient of the appropriate section of connector 206 and 214 bigger be very important.
Another optical fiber connector joint 400 of the present invention is as Figure 11, and shown in 12,13 and 14, wherein Figure 11 is a cut-open view, and Figure 12 is the stereographic map of alignment sleeve 410, and Figure 13 is a cut-open view, and it shows procedure of processing, and Figure 14 is the cut-open view of the sleeve pipe that processes.As shown in figure 11, the embodiment 400 of optical fiber connector joint comprises a lot of relevant embodiment 200 and 300 components identical of discussing with the front.In particular, for the ease of understanding, the components identical number is identical.Therefore, joint 400 links together two optical cables 202 and 210.Each optical cable 202 and 210 has an optical fiber connector 206 and 214 that retrains with the tip respectively, and these connectors are in most advanced and sophisticated 218 and 222 place's combinations. Optical fiber tubes 250 and 252 adds that ripple 270 affacts respectively on optical cable 202 and 210, and external lug sleeve pipe 260 adds that ripple 274 affacts on the cable sleeve 250 and 252 that is arranged on wherein.
Connector ferrule 410 comprises a cylindrical tubular part 412, and it has one to connect mating holes 414, and the effect of mating holes 414 is that the body part of connector 206 and 214 215 and 216 is aimed at.Connector 410 also comprises the most advanced and sophisticated alignment portion 416 of a molded connector, although but its not necessarily preferably make by the plastic material of injection moulding.With reference to Figure 12 and 13, sleeve pipe 412 comprises the material groove 420 of an outer, molded at least, and it has a passage 424 to arrive internal holes by sleeve pipe.As shown in figure 13, be inserted in the collar aperture 414 in order to process 410, two molded loose pieces 428 of sleeve pipe and 430. Loose piece 428 and 430 is processed into the shape of connector 206 and 214 usually, so that form molding space 434.Subsequently, mouldable material, for example appropriate plastic material is injected in the groove 420, enters space 434 by passage 424.
Sleeve pipe 410 after Figure 14 shows injected plastic material in the model and removes model loose piece 428 and 430.Therefore, can see that inner molded partly has the cross sectional shape of the most advanced and sophisticated alignment portion of connector of sleeve pipe 310.Specifically, formed the most advanced and sophisticated mating holes 444 of connector and trochoidal surface 448 and 450, its trochoidal surface 318 and 330 with the alignment portion of most advanced and sophisticated mating holes 322 of connector and sleeve pipe 310 is corresponding.Therefore, can know that the most advanced and sophisticated alignment portion 440 of alignment sleeve 410 and molded internal connector thereof has size and the gap identical with alignment sleeve 310 usually, so that it can be used to aim at two connectors 206 and 214 as shown in figure 11.Therefore, alignment sleeve 410 equally also comprises two connector alignment portions, and the most advanced and sophisticated alignment portion of connector is by mating holes 444 expressions, and an aerial lug body alignment portion is by collar aperture 414 expressions.
Figure 15 shows and uses joint 200 of the present invention to connect the optical fiber connector of two two line ends of the present invention.Joint 500 shown in Figure 15 is connected first two line ends optical fiber connector 10R with second two line end optical fiber connector 10L, wherein R represents right side connector and element, and L represents left side connector and element.Joint 500 comprises an internal connector alignment sleeve 510, and this sleeve pipe comprises that one has diameter and is enough to make the protruding tip 76R of two connectors and the diameter that 76L is slidingly matched.Joint 500 also comprises an aerial lug alignment sleeve 520, and this sleeve pipe has a connecter hole 522, and its diameter is enough to make respectively the connector body part 215R of connector 10R and 10L, 216R, and 215L, and 216L is slidingly matched.Cable jacket sleeve pipe 526 and 528 is crushed 530, affacts on the optical cable fiber sheath that is connected with 10L with connector 10R.External lug sheath 540 is provided with a hole, and it has suitable diameter and external alignment sleeve pipe 520 and sheath sleeve pipe 526 and 530 and is slidingly matched, and external lug sleeve pipe 540 is crushed and affacts sheath sleeve pipe 526 and 528.
Therefore, can know that joint 500 comprises a plurality of alignment point for the optical fiber connector that is arranged on wherein.Specifically, internal alignment sleeve pipe 510 is used to make the tip of connector 10R and 10L to divide 76R and 76L to aim at.Body part 216R and 216L that the external alignment sleeve pipe is respectively applied for the inside line end 24R that makes connector 10R and 10L and 24L aim at.
The present invention is by being illustrated and describing with reference to the specific embodiment of determining, describe in detail by reading, those of ordinary skill in the art will be appreciated that, only otherwise depart from spirit of the present invention, can carry out certain changes and improvements to its form and details in the embodiment that describes.Therefore, should be known in that following claim attempts to comprise all changes and the improvement that belongs within true spirit of the present invention and the scope.